She Belongs to New Jersey? Debate over Weird Geography NY VS NJ

The debate over whether the Statue of Liberty should belong to New Jersey instead of New York is a long-standing dispute rooted in history, geography, and legal rulings. While many people associate Lady Liberty with New York, given its deep cultural ties to the city, the reality of its location is a bit more complicated. Liberty Island, where the statue stands, is geographically located in New Jersey’s waters, specifically in the Upper New York Bay, near Jersey City. The natural geography suggests that the island should belong to New Jersey, as it is much closer to its shore than to Manhattan. The dispute dates back to the colonial era when both New York and New Jersey had competing claims over parts of the Hudson River and surrounding waters. In 1834, the two states signed a compact, approved by Congress, which determined that while New Jersey retained rights to the waters surrounding Liberty Island. Although the Statue of Liberty’s legal and administrative ties to New York are firm, its physical location in New Jersey waters fuels ongoing debate. Ultimately, Lady Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy for the entire nation, not just one state. Would you support a formal reclassification, or do you think tradition should prevail?